Belgium has passed a landmark law that extends maternity leave and pension benefits to sex workers, ensuring they receive the same rights as other workers in the country.
On Sunday, lawmakers in Belgium officially signed into law a measure that recognizes sex workers as employees, providing them with access to benefits such as maternity pay, pension contributions, and legal protections against exploitation.
This historic change follows months of protests in 2022, which were sparked by the lack of state support for sex workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many were left without financial assistance.
The law is being hailed as a breakthrough, as it offers sex workers greater legal recognition and much-needed workplace protections, making Belgium the first country in the world to implement such sweeping reforms.
One of the most important aspects of the new law is that it guarantees sex workers the right to refuse clients, specific acts, or to stop an encounter at any point, enhancing their control over personal safety and work conditions.
Additionally, employers of sex workers in Belgium must adhere to strict standards, including maintaining a registered business address in the country, providing a safe working environment, and ensuring that premises are equipped with panic buttons, clean linen, showers, and condoms for workers’ protection.
The Belgian Union of Sex Workers has celebrated the law as a major victory, describing it as a “huge step forward” that ends years of legal discrimination against sex workers.
Sophie, a sex worker in Belgium, spoke to the BBC, saying that the new law represents “an opportunity for us to exist as people,” giving them recognition and dignity in society.
Erin Kilbride, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, praised the law as a model for other nations, calling it “radical” and the most significant step forward globally in securing rights for sex workers.
“This is radical, and it’s the best step we have seen anywhere in the world so far. We need every country to be moving in that direction,” Kilbride stated, stressing the importance of such reforms globally.
